Brace And Support Blog

Archive for October, 2012

I’ve been in the orthopedic support and bracing industry for close to twenty years. And I get a lot of questions about knee braces. I usually first explain that we need to understand what is going on in the knee before we can brace it. The knee is a complicated joint. Is the knee pain being caused by ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bone spurs, is there a fracture or deformity?

Now some people take the time to go to the doctor, get X-Rays or MRI’s and learn exactly what is going on inside their bodies. That’s the smart thing to do. However there are plenty of people that don’t have time, resources, or desire to go see a medical professional. Though I argue with them, these patients generally want to try something. The “something” I recommend for people who have no idea what is going on with their knees is a basic knee sleeve.

A basic knee sleeve will provide some support and compression. It is an inexpensive place to start that isn’t going to do any harm.

Some knee braces are designed specifically to help control the knee cap. The patella knee brace pictured above has a buttress sewn into a flap. The flap is pulled across the knee cap once the brace is on the leg. What this does is it pulls the knee cap into a comfortable position. Knee braces like this are often times called “Lateral J’s”. This is because the buttress is shaped liked the letter “J” and it is positioned on the outside of the leg. In medical terminology the outside is called the lateral side.

These patella knee braces mimic taping and are designed to capture, and push or pull the patella into a comfortable position. The fact that the person wearing the knee brace can control the amount of pressure placed on the knee cap, and exact position of the knee cap, gives knee bracing an edge over taping in regards to pain relief.

This is a knee brace with a very specific job – it’s designed to reduce the knee pain associated with Osgood Schlatter disease. A specially designed horseshoe buttress provides gentle compression and helps protect the sensitive area on the front of the leg beneath the knee.

Osgood Schlatter is common among teenagers. The Osgood Schlatter Knee Sleeve is safe to use when returning to high school sports – there aren’t any metal parts that need to be covered. This brace is easy to wash and dries quickly. This is a latex free knee sleeve.

A magnetic knee support is helpful in reducing knee pain. Magnets have been used for centuries to cure a host of ailments. Maybe a magnetic knee brace can work for you. The magnets aren’t going to help repair a torn ligament or ruptured tendon, but they can increase blood flow to the knee joint. Increased blood flow can help reduce knee pain associated with osteoarthritis.

There are plenty of people who believe in magnetic therapy. And Therion, the company that manufactures the brace pictured above wouldn’t stay in business if their braces didn’t work. Their knee braces can be returned if they don’t help. Drugs and surgeries can have side effects, and in the long-run be much more expensive than a magnetic knee sleeve.

Arthritic pain can often be reduced with some warmth and compression. An arthritis knee brace like the one pictured above will do exactly that. In addition to warmth and compression the knee brace above will also provide a measure of protection and stability. The hinges in this brace will help support an arthritic knee that at times experiences instability or laxity.

The “pull loops” on the side of the brace help a person with arthritic fingers or poor finger strength position the knee brace on their leg. An arthritis knee brace is an inexpensive and safe treatment option to consider. A neoprene knee brace will generally last about one year if they are washed regularly and cared for.

Clavicle splints can help with back pain, clavicle injuries, back support, and posture. Posture braces need to fit well to be effective. The idea is to teach slouchers what good posture looks and feels like. By training the body and mind these splints can help your son or daughter stand tall and finally stop slouching.

Posture braces are generally constructed with velcro or buckle closures. The straps must be comfortable and washable. Posture braces don’t have to be worn forever – just until the body learns to sit and stand with a straight back.

Braces for tennis elbow come in various shapes and sizes. Which one is right for you? That depends on a few different factors.

1. How big is your forearm?

2. How much elbow pain are you experiencing?

3. How much brace are you willing to wear?

Some patients can get away with just wearing a strap over the lateral epicondyle (the area just below your elbow) to help reduce the pain associated with tennis elbow. Some patients need a strap with a buttress. The buttress is usually made of a foam or gel type material – it provides extra compression to help reduce pain. The buttress adds some bulk to the brace so if you can eliminate your elbow pain with just a strap that will make the brace lower-profile and easier to wear.

If your elbow pain is mild, try an elbow strap first. If the ache is anything more than mild – go with an elbow brace with a buttress.

There aren’t many pediatric elbow braces available over the internet. So it is a good thing that this one is all your special little person needs. This elbow brace prevents hyperextension, provides gentle compression, and is easy to wash.

The standard color of this brace is black, which helps hide wear and tear. A variety of colors are available but keep in mind that selecting any color other than black will add 3-5 business to process your order. So if you are looking for quick turn-around – order black.

This pediatric elbow brace is constructed of breathable neoprene, and is anatomically designed for a comfortable design.

The Titan Thumb Spica provides protection ,support, and a universal design. The stays in this thumb brace are moldable – this helps position the thumb, wrist, and hand for optimal comfort and protection. This is a lacing support so the amount of compression can be controlled.

The universal size will fit most hands though pediatric and extra large sizes are available. The Titan Thumb is manufactured by Hely & Weber – a leader in the orthopedic bracing market. This thumb brace is easy to take on and off, adjust, and wash.

This thumb brace is appropriate for various conditions that cause thumb pain: sprains, strains, osteoarthritis, sports injuries, and overuse injuries.

This carpal tunnel brace is a unique wrist support. The design is elegant and simple. It positions the hand and wrist to prevent the wrist pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome without the bulk of an all-encompassing wrist brace.

This is a low-profile wrist support that enhances hygiene, and provides significantly more freedom. If the wrist brace you are currently wearing interferes with your keyboard then this is a great alternative. Easily wash your hands, type, sign your name, or scroll through your phone.

This wrist brace is easy to wear, easy to wash, and will help your wrist feel better.